He is a young man who returned to Goa and started a business. That was the good part, the rest of the story is one of battling official lethargy and a work ethic that at times defies explanation. Tirthprasad Nagvekar of Adec Embedded Technology and Solutions Pvt Ltd spoke to Ajit John of the challenges he faces as he tries to grow his businesses.
Herald: You graduated in Mumbai and returned to Goa, why?
Tirthprasad Nagvekar: I graduated and worked around the country. Over a period of time I realised that there was a limit to my movement up the corporate ladder. I had worked in Pune then shifted to Chandigarh as R & D head. The problem was then I was not an MBA and it was holding me back. I completed it but then I also began to feel the tug of Goa. I decided to return in 2010 and started the company. I took care of design, installation, marketing and application development. Our company caters to the universities, colleges and our instruments are used in the BSc, MSc, and in the physics and chemistry stream. Over the past 4 years I have designed and developed 8 scientific instruments with a incremental change in design every quarter. In India the education system uses international brands like Padco, Vernier etc and I want to make my mark in this sector.
Herald: What has been the experience like?
TN: On the 4th of July I opened my third division focusing on factory automation, home automation and marking coding printers. I have an ambitious target to focus on electronics in agriculture and medical science where certain common designs can be used from what i have designed so far.
Herald: How has demand been?
TN: Demand from the education sector is on the basis of requirement. Other companies either manufacture or market I do both. So when I receive an order i require time to manufacture it. That is a problem. In India students most of the time maintaining records they don’t have the time to ask why it is happening, which is a problem. I intend to get into mass production of certain instruments because at present they are imported. The business generally has been sluggish in the education sector. Last year was decent and this year has been bad.
Herald: What are the problems you have faced trying to conduct business?
TN: I applied for a plot of land in Panchwadi industrial area earlier this year and till date I have not received a response. The officer suggested I go home and sleep. When I told him that only when I receive the land can my job start he gave me a blank look. I have sent them a copy and till date nothing. What is the use of the investment policy if the officers don’t do their jobs. If I get that plot I will be able to build my manufacturing unit and employ 50 people. The core issue in Goa is not land or electricity or water but the fact that GIDC is not doing its job. Then there is the matter of finding finance especially from the banking sector. The branch manager is unable to understand the concept of intellectual property because all successful businesses are built around an idea. For them an idea is too esoteric a concept.
Herald: You seem to be the only person in your organisation, why have you not expanded?
TN: I receive resumes or people walk in like this young engineer from a area close to my office and he wanted to work 9-5 with Saturday and Sunday off. I wanted him to work from 9 -8 since there was work and yes holidays over the weekend. He insisted he want to work 9-5 , it meant he was not compatible. There is a lot of work and a lot to learn. I intend to recruit guys who have graduated in BSc which then means they are willing to learn and they are also keen on proving themselves.
